Truth Magazine

By Joe R. Price

Nobody I know likes rotten fruit. There is nothing appealing about it. It stinks and is slimy, and it attracts flies and other unsightly insects and molds. The scavengers will eat it if they can get to it, and maybe the hogs. But have you ever wondered how rotten spiritual fruit must look to God?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23). Christians should be bearing fruit, and that fruit should not turn rotten. Think about some of the properties of fruit which should be present in our lives.

First, we often call fruit “produce.” It is a product of nature and nurturing. Likewise, the “fruit of the Spirit” is produced as one is “led by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16,18,25). We are to live by the direction of the Spirit-inspired gospel – “the faith” he revealed (Gal. 3:2; 1: 11,23). The only way we can bear spiritual fruit is to abide in Christ (Jn. 15:1-5), and that means abiding in his word (Jn. 8:31-32). Is fruit being produced in our lives through our obedience to the gospel of Christ? Or, has the fruit rotted through negligence and disobedience?

Secondly, just as fruit identifies its plant, the fruit of our life identifies to whom we belong. Jesus said that bearing much fruit (by abiding in him) shows that we are his disciples (Jn. 15:8). Bearing the fruit of the Spirit marks us as belonging to Christ. Remember, “by their fruits ye shall know them ” (Matt. 7:20). The fruit of the Spirit in one’s life marks him as being victorious over the works of the flesh: “And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof” (Gal. 5:24; cf. 1 Pet. 4:1-2). The fruit we bear should identify us as being “of Christ Jesus,” not of the world (Gal. 5:19-21).

Thirdly, we understand that fruit must grow to maturity. We do not plant an apple true expecting ripened fruit to appear the next day. Spiritual fruit also takes time to develop and mature. We are often encouraged to grow to maturity or perfection in the New Testament (Acts 20:32; Phil. 3:13-14; Heb. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:2). This growth occurs by obeying the word of God in our lives (Heb. 5:12-14). We all need diligence and patience as we grow in our faith and obedience. But, we must grow. Just as we cut down a fruit tree which never produces any fruit (Lk. 13:6-9), God will not accept us into heaven if our lives never bear fruit for him (2 Pet. 1:5-11). Is your fruit ripening?

By bearing the fruit of the Spirit, we show Christ to the world (Phil. 214-16). Is your fruit ripening or rotting?

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 23, p. 723
December 3, 1992

By Donald P. Ames

Recently I ran across the above quote, and think it deserves our consideration. Love has often been described as a “two-way street,” as well it should be. We have two different individuals coming from two different backgrounds, and meeting on the same territory. This is true in friendships, as well as marriage. To survive as “love,” it must be “without hypocrisy” (Rom. 12:9). Many a friendship and/or marriage has ended in disaster when one of the parties forgot it was a “two-way street,” and assumed it had become a “one-way highway” instead (in other words, and did not give in return). True love “does not seek its own” (1 Cor. 13:5; see also Jn. 3:16; 15:13).

As on any highway, sometimes we have dangers, with warning signs posted along the way. We may not heed or even notice those signs, but that does not minimize any of the dangers we may be approaching. It may be a “narrow bridge,” in which case we may be facing irritations or conflicts. In such cases, we may have to “yield the right of way” to avoid a real collision. Many make the mistake of assuming they can remake the other person (“we can make it there is plenty of room”), only to find out they had miscalculated. Rather than trying to remake, we ought to understand and cooperate. A “scratched fender” can leave a scar!

Others may be distracted and not notice the dangerous “curves” on the road. Paul warns us to “flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18), as well as to be sure we keep on the road (Heb. 13:4, 1 Cor. 7:3). When we become careless, we are headed for a wreck! We expect the other “car” to stay in its lane, and must remember the same also goes for us!

“Dead end streets” and “head-ons” may be found by those who do not realize that driving is a serious business and demand all our attention. Love does not just “happen,” but is something we learn (Tit. 2:4), and we need to study “the rules of the road” (1 Cor. 13) frequently to be good drivers. A good driver abides by these “rules,” and expects other “cars” to do the same. This is what makes our highways safe and travelable, and gives us the confidence we can travel them. Yet, we need to drive “defensively” (taking care of our loved ones), and not over-reacting if others sometimes do become careless and goof off. Imitating their example will not help us establish good “driving” habits!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, p. 743
December 17, 1992

By John Humphries

We have just recently returned from six weeks of gospel work in India. We sincerely appreciate your prayers and support of this effort for the Lord in that part of the world. Several sent funds for Bibles in the Telugu language. This was used to purchase over 800 Bibles for poor Christians. We also wrote, had translated into Telugu, and printed in India some 70,000 tracts for distribution among the people. We can always use help with this! Tracts keeps teaching after we are gone. We can never print too many. Many conversions come from the tract effort.

The trip went very well and we believe that much good was done. In various gospel meeting around the state of Anhra Pradesh in south India, we baptized 72 precious souls into Christ. We conducted several study classes for preachers n various places. William Beasley, Jerry Parks, Ed Brand, and I were in India during the months of September, October and November. We came at different times to the country and overlapped each other for continuity and comparing of notes. We worked in different districts in Andhra Pradesh in order to cover more territory and meet with the various congregations.

We will mention a conversion or two in order to give you idea of the efforts in India. One conversion involved a family of Brahmans which is the highest caste in India. This known as the priestly caste and in fact the husband in this family is a Hindu priest. The wife and two children, one 19 or 20-year-old girl and the other is a 12 or 13-year-old boy, obeyed the gospel at great cost. The woman threw the idols down the well when she turned from the pagan gods and committed herself to the true and living God. After she did this her Hindu priest husband promptly abandoned the family. Now she and the children are having to support themselves as they are able. Her Hindu family has turned their back on her and the children. Her faith and the faith the children are an inspiration to us. They have truly counted the cost!

Another story involved a young man in his early 20s who was also high caste. His family put great pressure on him when they learned that he was investigating the gospel of Christ. They tried to marry him off to a Hindu girl and also pressured him to go to the idol temple for puga (worship). Their threats and pressure did not stop him. After we studied with him, he was baptized into Christ. He will face many difficulties with his family and Hindu friends.

We could give many such stories of faith and dedication to the Lord that we have observed in India. The Christians in that Hindu country face many battles as they attempt to follow the Bible. Some lose their faith but most remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ.

I will mention another situation that develops often in India. A Telugu Baptist preacher wanted to study further with us after hearing us preach the truth in one of our gospel meetings. He told us that we were preaching the truth and that he desires to learn more. As a matter of fact, some of his members have already obeyed the gospel. He did not fight this as he said that we taught the Bible truth on conversion. He even attended their baptism! Some of the Indian preachers are continuing to study with him. I told him that I would be happy to study with him each time I returned to India. Doors like this are open many places in India but for how long, I cannot say.

Please allow me to say for the record and to prevent possible misunderstanding, that not one red cent of support was promised to this Baptist preacher (or anyone else)! To his credit, he never mentioned such to us. He does face severe financial hardship if he obeys the gospel; but we have promised him nothing material. He is struggling mightily at this time. Pray for him and the others mentioned in this report, please.

Thank you again for your help. God willing, I will return next year. Would you please consider helping us again? I will be happy to answer any questions concerning our work in India. Please let me hear from you.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, p. 741
December 17, 1992

By Johnie Edwards

“Church of England to ordain women as priests” was a front page story in the Bloomington, Indiana Herald Times (November 11, 1992)! Some of the people involved thought the action contradicts Scripture and some thought “the ordination of women to the priesthood alters not a word in the creeds, the Scriptures, or the faith of our church.” Let’s see just what the Lord thinks about it as we make our appeal to the Bible.

1. The General Synod. The ordination of women to the priesthood was approved by the majority of the church’s General Synod. The first thing wrong with this whole affair is an unscriptural organization running the church. The Bible I read knows nothing about a “General Synod”! I do read of Paul addressing the church at Philippi, “. . . to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). I also read that the elders are to “tend the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight” (1 Pet. 5:2).

2. The Scriptures. The article stated that, “The ordination of women to the priesthood alters not a word in the Scriptures.” In the Old Testament, the priesthood came from men, not women (Heb. 7:8). One Canon said, “but I have yet to be convinced that its not a part of God’s revelation for the salvation of us all.” If the ordination of women is taught in the Bible, looks like there would be some passage where we can read about such. Of all the things said about the subject, the article made no appeal to any Scripture, not one!

3. Subjection of women. Because of the sin of Eve in the garden, and her “being deceived was in the transgression, ” God put women in a place of subjection (1 Tim. 2:14). Paul said, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (1 Cor. 11:3). In the marriage relationship, the man is the head of his wife. Hers is a place of subjection. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Eph. 5:23-24).

4. Usurping of Authority. When women are placed over men, as in the ordaining of women priests, elders, preachers and the like, it is a violation of New Testament teaching. Paul said, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. For I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:11-12).

5. How about us? There are some places where women are being used in leading of prayers among mixed audiences. What will be next? Perhaps the leading of singing, waiting on the Lord’s table, preaching, women elders and deacons! We need to get back to doing some basic preaching and teaching on the role of the women in the Lord’s church.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 24, p. 737
December 17, 1992